Lures for rock fish and lings?

The only ocean fishing I have done has been with flies in baja, San Diego Bay, Newport Bay and the surf.  But now that I have a kayak I am looking to expand my fishing.  For conventional gear what type of lures do you use for the fish I mentioned above.  Also what type of line are you using, I assume 20 pound test.  But do you do bite guards or wire or anything like that.

I plan to still use my fly rod but if I am not catching anything and everyone else is I have no problem using conventional gear.  I do not use bait so I don't need any info on that.

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!!

Big Hammer in 6.5"-9" with 2-4 Oz jigheads

+1 on 2-4 Oz jig heads with swimbaits - with squid tipped teaser fly above
Carry a couple 6-8 Oz in case the drift is fast, usually later in the day when the wind picks up

Don't bother with the fly rod. These fish live their lives in close proximity to the rocks and reefs. I prefer iron over swimbaits, I like Pline laser minnows in 4-6oz black and purple color and some of their green colors, and always put a fly teaser over what ever your main weight is. Those work on lings and rockfish also rootbeer scampi and a 6oz leadhead is tried and true ling producer. For rockfish sometimes the best and most productive is a simple 2 fly rig tipped with squid. Don't be afraid to put the fancy stuff away and go back to basics.

+1
I like to make sure my lead heads have large eyes on them. I would also add some twin tails grubs to the mix. Some days they work better than swim baits or stick baits.
I also tie my own flies, cause the commercial ones suck. P-line make a pretty good fly but wont last the day. I like using black, red and white and black, purple and white.
Your going to love fishing the salt!

I have seen a few guys using a fly rod and killing the schoolie rockfish.  Looks like a blast.  Flyaker and Pindo124 come to mind.  PM them.

While I use the heavy stuff as well, when conditions allow, small less than an oz jig heads with small "bass" plastics work great. 

I have seen a few guys using a fly rod and killing the schoolie rockfish.  Looks like a blast.  Flyaker and Pindo124 come to mind.  PM them.

+1.

If I knew how to fly fish I think that would be so cool. I have seen schools of blues and blacks right at the surface and think it would be hella fun to catch em up top like that!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I have seen a few guys using a fly rod and killing the schoolie rockfish.  Looks like a blast.  Flyaker and Pindo124 come to mind.  PM them.

While I use the heavy stuff as well, when conditions allow, small less than an oz jig heads with small "bass" plastics work great. 

As a former Arizona Bass fisherman, I enjoy using the freshwater gear for shallow water groundfish (when conditions permit).  Its not that practical to use this gear in water much deeper than 30 feet or so and works best in calm slack tide contions.  I use my 6 ft med heavy- fast action worming/jigging rod with a Stradic 4000 spinning reel spooled with 20 - 30 lbs braid.  I'll throw 3/4 to 1.5 oz on spinner baits, typical Bass style soft plastics such as crawdad imitations and most typical Bass style plastics. I have had some success with 6 inch (+/-) floating and sinking crank baits.  Its not always practical, buts its a blast when conditions permit.

Squidco in san Diego have some 7" swimbaits that kill it.

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Thanks everyone, looks like I need to go to the fishing store and get some 2 ounce through 4 ounce plus a couple 6 ounce jig heads and some swim baits.  Guess I am off to Fisherman's Warehouse tomorrow at lunch.

If you're hopping on the TC bandwagon, then bring your fly gear. More often than not we see blacks/blues busting the surface there.

Scott, try to keep it simple on the ocean. Sometimes less is better. I'd suggest a single Plano flat w/3 swimbaits, 1 scampi, 1 grub, 3 or 4 leadheads, and 2 or 3 irons. Then some terminal stuff like swivels, hooks, and a few teaser flies. Tie some dropper-loop rigs the night before so you don't get seasick tying knots OTW. Or even jus buy some pretied shrimpfly rigs and remove 1 of he flies so you can use a lure on bottom instead of a regular sinker.

Scott, try to keep it simple on the ocean. Sometimes less is better. I'd suggest a single Plano flat w/3 swimbaits, 1 scampi, 1 grub, 3 or 4 leadheads, and 2 or 3 irons. Then some terminal stuff like swivels, hooks, and a few teaser flies. Tie some dropper-loop rigs the night before so you don't get seasick tying knots OTW. Or even jus buy some pretied shrimpfly rigs and remove 1 of he flies so you can use a lure on bottom instead of a regular sinker.

Great advice right there.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Just don't try Jims's or Andy's fav lure ... their pinky!

Just don't try Jims's or Andy's fav lure ... their pinky!

ewwww

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